2 Die In Suspected Boko Haram Highway Attack

Two persons have been killed in an attack on commuters along Maiduguri-Damboa highway by persons suspected to be members of Boko Haram.

The Borno Police Commissioner, Mr Damian Chukwu, said a police officer and a truck driver were killed.

“You would recall that since the Maiduguri-Damboa highway was reopened, motorists ply the road strictly on military escort.

“Initially it was only the military that provides the escort, but later the police was invited to join,” Chukwu said.

Explaining how the incident happened, he said the convoy left Maiduguri with the military in the front while the police was at the rear.

“The convoy had about 200 vehicles among which included an 80-seater bus conveying a newly deployed Mobile Police Unit from Oghara in Delta heading for Askira Uba one of the newly liberated communities.

“The convoy also had a burial party of a late Special Investigation Bureau police woman who died last week,” Chukwu said.

“The convoy started moving around 10:30 pm and by 11:30 we got information that they were ambushed around Abari-Dalwa village about 30 kilometres from Maiduguri.

“Six of the Mobile Police Men in the bus were injured, but as I speak to you they are responding to treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital,” he further stated.

Chukwu said that none of the policemen lost their weapons to the attackers.

He, however, said that a policeman in the vehicle conveying the burial party for the deceased policewoman died during the attack.